Monday Night Football betting: Bears at Packers

Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers are hitting their stride and seek their fifth consecutive victory when they face the visiting Chicago Bears on Monday night. The hot streak has propelled the Packers to the top of the NFC North, a half-game ahead of Detroit and one in front of the Bears, who have not won in Green Bay since December 2008. The Packers have dominated their oldest rival in recent years behind Rodgers, winning the past six matchups.

Chicago's task is that much more daunting with journeyman Josh McCown set to start in place of Jay Cutler, who suffered a groin injury in a 45-41 loss at Washington prior to last week's bye. McCown acquitted himself well in relief of Cutler, throwing for 204 yards and a touchdown, and did make a start in Green Bay in December 2011. The Bears also have major concerns on the other side of the ball, ranking 29th in the league in points allowed (29.4).

TV: 8:40 p.m. ET, ESPN.

LINE: Packers opened -11 and are now -10.5. The total opened 49.5 and is up to 51.WEATHER: Forecasts are calling for a 27 percent chance of rain with wind blowing toward the N endzone at 10 mph.

ABOUT THE BEARS (4-3): McCown's last appearance against the Packers was his first start in four years after he was signed off waivers, so Chicago is confident he is more equipped to handle Sunday's assignment. "We're in a very fortunate position," Bears coach Marc Trestman said. "We've got a guy who has started in this league, has played, has a great grasp of our offense. I think that is clear." Running back Matt Forte rushed for 91 yards and a career-high three TDs versus Washington but has averaged only 44.4 yards rushing in the last five against the Packers.ABOUT THE PACKERS (5-2): Rodgers has thrown 15 touchdowns against four interceptions and has received a boost from the running game, which produced 182 rushing yards in last week's 44-31 rout of Minnesota. Rookie Eddie Lacy had a career-high 29 carries and has toted the ball at least 22 times in the past four games while leading the league with 395 October rushing yards. "We're running the football a lot more effectively," Rodgers said Thursday. ''We're top five ... in throwing it and running it, which I'm sure hasn't happened here in a while."

TRENDS:

* Favorite is 5-0 ATS in their last five meetings.* Under is 10-1 in the last 11 meetings.* Bears are 0-5 ATS in their last five vs. NFC North.* Under is 7-2 in Packers last nine vs. NFC North.EXTRA POINTS:

1. Rodgers is 5-0 lifetime at home against Chicago.

2. Bears LB Lance Briggs (shoulder), a seven-time Pro Bowler, is out, putting more pressure on a unit that is 27th in total defense at 391.0 yards per game allowed.

3. The teams are meeting for the 185th time in the regular season, with Chicago leading the series 91-87-6.

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1* Cleveland (1:00 ET): The chances for the Browns to avoid the infamy of 0-16 are rapidly dwindling. They are just four games left, but realistically there's probably only two shots where they have a legit chance to win, Dec 24th vs. San Diego and here. This week they are coming off a bye and hosting Cincinnati. I'll recommend to take the points.

It's not as if the Browns haven't been competitive. In fact, they actually outgained the Giants two weeks ago in a 27-13 loss. That game really swung on a defensive score by the G-Men. Despite what the final scores might indicate, they've been competitive in four of the last five games. That doesn't even include close losses to Baltimore, Miami and Tennessee earlier in the year. Robert Griffin III, out since Week 1, is expected to be back this week as the starting QB. Coming off a bye and still motivated to avoid NFL history ('08 Lions only 0-16 team in history), the Browns are a solid value this week. Consider that the "lookahead" line for this game was only +3.5.

The Bengals turned in one of their best performances of the year last week, routing Philadelphia 32-14. But it's "too little, too late" here as a 4-7-1 SU record is probably too big of a hole to climb out of. Even if they were to win out, I'm not sure the Bengals would get into the playoffs. The offense is without WR AJ Green and unlike LW, this is a road game. So far this year, the Bengals are 1-5 SU and 0-6 ATS away from home. After being darlings at the betting window LY, Cincy is just 3-8-1 ATS overall in 2016. With Browns HC Hue Jackson being the Bengals former OC, might there be a little sympathy on the sidelines? Not sure, but Cleveland is also due to erase an 0-4 SU/ATS slide in this AFC North rivalry. 1* Cleveland

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